Improvement in apparatus for steaming grain



N. KNOX. Apparatusfor Steaming Grain.

Patented May 19, 1874.

'E NTTED STATES PATENT Crimenp WILLIAM O. KNOX AND JOSIAH N. KNOX, OFEVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR STEANIING GRAIN.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 15 1,034, dated May 19,1R74; application tiled December 30, 1873. i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WM. C. KNOX and J OsIAH N. KNOX, ot' Evansville, inthe county of Vanderhurg and State of Indiana, have invented certainImprovements in a Machine for a-Vheat Steamer or Dampener, of which thefollowing' is a specification:

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus in whichthe wheat .shall be thoroughly and equably subjected to the action ofsteam as it passes downward through a cylinder, alternately expandingand contracting as it ows in circular sheets or streams from one conicaldeiiecting plate or ring to another, and intersecting and mingling withthe jets of steam discharged laterally. The invention is embodied in theconstruction and arrangement of conical plates and rings within thecylinder, a perforated steam-pipe, a condensing-pipe, and steam-chest,all as hereinafter fully described.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which our inventionrelates to make and use the same, we will now proceed to describe theconstruction and operation, referring to the annexed drawings, (which isa vertical section of the 1nachine,) which form a part of thisspecication.

A is an upright cylinder, through which the grain passes while.undergoing the process ot' steaming, which cylinder is constructed ofsheet metal, and has a hopper, B, :in the form of an inverted truncatedcone, the same hein g inserted in its top or` head. Two or more rings,E, of like form with the hopper, are attached tothe inner side or wallof the cylinder, alternating with the conical caps or plates C. H is asteamehest, into which as much steam as is necessary is admittedthrough,

valve G, thence conducted hy suitable horizontal pipes into the verticalpipe K inside ot cylinder A, which vertical pipehas closed ends andattached conical caps O and D, and is provided with numerous smallapertures L L; also a drain-pipe, M, to conduct water of condensationback to chest H, to be discharged through waste-pipe N, thus securingsteam of uniform dampness to apply to the grain.

The grain is conduetedfthrough cylinder A, passing in its descent overcaps C and D, and aprons E and F, anch-while in a scattered condition onleaving the caps,is met hy jets of steam escaping through the aperturesin K at L L, and discharged from the machine at O. Cylinder A may havedoors, indicated hy dotted lines P I).

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is y rIhecombination of cylinder A, provided with alternating conical caps O Oand inverted rings E, the central pipe K, with jetholes L,connecting-tubes I, condensing-pipe M, and chest H, with waste-pipe N,all constructed and arranged as shown and de scribed, to operate asspecified. p

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our handsthis 15th day ot' December, A. D. 1873.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL 01m, JAMES L. ORR.

